Former Los Angeles Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro has become a serious candidate to become the next head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, a source close to situation reported on Thursday.

Del Negro, who was relieved by the Clippers from his coaching duty after a first-round exit about a year ago, could make a return on the NBA sideline as a bench tactician for the Timberwolves. The Wolves are looking for coach who can lead them back to the playoffs after Rick Adelman failed to bring the team to greater heights in three seasons.

"Sources told ESPN.com on Thursday that Del Negro, who is also being considered for the Cleveland Cavaliers' job, was spotted last week interviewing with Wolves president and part-owner Flip Saunders and is firmly in the mix for the post after the collapse of Minnesota's talks with Memphis Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger," ESPN reported.

Aside from Del Negro and Dave Joerger, the Wolves also expressed interest in former Wolves forward Sam Mitchell, Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins, Bucks head coach Scott Skiles, while former Denver Nuggets coach George Karl is also interested to assume the role.

"The Wolves, in addition to Joerger, Del Negro and Mitchell, are known to have interviewed former NBA head coaches Lionel Hollins and Scott Skiles. ESPN analyst George Karl has also publicly expressed interest in the job," ESPN reported on Tuesday.